Psychosocial explanations of obedience

Question 1

What does the agent state mean?

Answer 1

When orders come from authority, we can easily deny personal responsibility, because it is assumed that they will take ultimate responsibility

Question 2

What is an autonomous state?

Answer 2

Person has autonomy over their own actions and can act according to their own principles

Question 3

What is an agent shift?

Answer 3

When a person undergoes a psychological adjustment and shifts from an autonomous state to an agent state

Question 4

What is legitimacy of authority?

Answer 4

Most societies are ordered in a hierarchical way, where some members have legitimate social power over those beneath them
We learn that we will be accepted if we obey those who have authority over us

Question 5

Generalisable?

Answer 5

Cannot explain why some ppts in Milgram’s study didn’t obey, so cannot explain all obedience

Question 6

Research support?

Answer 6

Blass and Schmidt (2001) asked observers who they thought was responsible for harm caused to learner in Milgram’s study
Most said the experimenter, supporting idea of agent state

Question 7

cultural differences?

Answer 7

Legitimacy of authority supported by cultural differences
In countries where authority and obedience are less valued, obedience rates are much lower than in countries that value legitimate authority figures